The Language of Makchen[]
In Makchen: мaкчe (makche)
...and he stood holding his hat and turned his wet face to the wind...
khe pi sham lia ba bavben khe moch ba miu yal a meniź xэ пи шaм лиa̯ бa бaвбэнъ xэ мoч бa миу̯ йaл a мэниҗ
Pronunciation: /xe pi ʃam lia̯ ba bavˈbenʲ xe moʧ ba miu̯ jal a meˈniʑ/
Makchen word order: and he stood holding hat his and turned his face wet to the wind
Consonant inventory: b d f g h j k l lʲ m n nʲ p r s v x z ɕ ɖ ɣ ɾ ʃ ʑ ʒ ʔ ʦ ʧ ʨ
Click IPA symbols for audio
| ↓Manner/Place→ | Bilabial | Labiodental | Alveolar | Palato-alveolar | Retroflex | Alveolo-palatal | Palatal | Velar | Glottal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nasal | m | n nʲ | |||||||
| Stop | p b | d | ɖ | k g | ʔ | ||||
| Affricate | ʦ | ʧ | ʨ | ||||||
| Fricative | f v | s z | ʃ ʒ | ɕ ʑ | x ɣ | h | |||
| Approximant | j | ||||||||
| Tap | ɾ | ||||||||
| Trill | r | ||||||||
| Lateral approximant | l lʲ |
Vowel inventory: a e i ia̯ ie̯ io̯ iu̯ o u
Diphthongs: ia̯ ie̯ io̯ iu̯ ?
| Front | Back | |
|---|---|---|
| High | i | u |
| High-mid | e | o |
| Low | a |
Syllable structure: (C)V(C) ?
Stress pattern: Second — stress is on the second syllable ?
Word initial consonants: b d g j l lʲ m n nʲ p v x z ɕ ɣ ʃ ʑ ʒ ʔ ʧ ʨ
Mid-word consonants: b bb bd bj bv bz bɾ d db dd dg dl dlʲ dn dr ds f fd ff fj fk fn fp fx fʨ g gb gf gg gj gk gl gm h hd hk hɾ j jd jf jj jr js jv jʃ jʔ k kb kf kh kj kk klʲ km kn kr kv kz kʧ l lb ld lf lh lj ll ln lnʲ lr ls lz lɣ lʃ lʔ lʲ lʲk lʲnʲ lʲʨ m mk ml mlʲ mnʲ mr ms mv mɕ mʒ mʔ mʧ n nd ng nl nm nn np nr nx nɣ nɾ nʃ nʔ nʦ nʧ nʨ nʲ nʲʨ p pj pk pp ps px pɕ r rd rk rx rɣ rʒ rʧ s sd sf sl sm sv sx sz sɾ sʔ v vb vj vm vn vv vɾ x xf xg xk xl xm xn xnʲ xr xv xz z zg zl zp ɕ ɖ ɣ ɣr ɾ ɾd ɾf ɾj ɾm ɾn ɾv ɾx ɾɣ ɾʃ ɾʒ ʃ ʃb ʃh ʃlʲ ʃm ʃn ʃs ʃx ʑ ʒ ʒb ʒm ʔ ʦ ʦl ʦr ʧ ʧk ʧn ʨ ʨj ʨnʲ
Word final consonants: b f g k l lʲ m n nʲ p r s v x z ɕ ɖ ɣ ʃ ʑ ʧ ʨ
Spelling rules:
| Pronunciation | Spelling |
|---|---|
| ʲ | |
| ʔ | ʻ |
| j | y |
| x | kh |
| ʧ | ch |
| ʃ | sh |
| ɖ | ḍ |
| ʒ | zh |
| ʦ | ts |
| ʨ | chy |
| ɾ | ŕ |
| ɣ | ǵ |
| ɕ | ś |
| ʑ | ź |
| ◌̯ |
Cyrillic:
b > б
ɕ > щ
ʲ > ъ
d > д
ɖ > ꚁ
f > ф
g > ґ
ɣ > ӷ
h > г
j > й
k > к
l > л
m > м
n > н
p > п
r > р
ɾ > р̌
s > c
ʃ > ш
ʨ > ч̀
ʦ > ц
ʧ > ч
v > в
x > x
z > з
ʑ > җ
ʒ > ж
ʔ > ь
a > a
e > e
e > э
i > и
ia̯ > я
ie̯ > ee
io̯ > ë
iu̯ > ю
o > o
u > у
Grammar[]
Main word order: Subject Verb Object (Prepositional phrase). “Mary opened the door with a key” turns into Mary opened the door with a key.
Adjective order: Adjectives are positioned after the noun.
Adposition: prepositions ?
Nouns[]
| Singular | Prefix o-
okhen oxэнъ /oˈxenʲ/ dog |
| Plural | No affix
khen xэнъ /xenʲ/ dogs |
Articles[]
| Definite | Indefinite | |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | chia чиa̯ /ʧia̯/
the |
bio биo̯ /bio̯/
a |
| Plural | dab дaб /dab/
the |
zesh зэш /zeʃ/
some |
Uses of definite article that differ from English:
- Used with place names: ‘The London’
Pronouns[]
| Nominative | Accusative | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st singular | źis җиc /ʑis/
I |
zie зиэ̯ /zie̯/
me |
| 2nd singular | mie миэ̯ /mie̯/
you |
piug пиу̯ґ /piu̯g/
you |
| 3rd singular masc | pi пи /pi/
he, it |
nio нъиo̯ /nʲio̯/
him, it |
| 3rd singular fem | liu лиу̯ /liu̯/
she, it |
la лa /la/
her, it |
| 1st plural | ge ґэ /ge/
we |
nia ниa̯ /nia̯/
us |
| 2nd plural | iap иa̯п /ia̯p/
you all |
o o /o/
you all |
| 3rd plural | cha чa /ʧa/
they |
ia иa̯ /ia̯/
them |
Possessive determiners[]
| 1st singular | le лъэ /lʲe/
my |
| 2nd singular | iu иу̯ /iu̯/
your |
| 3rd singular masc | ba бa /ba/
his |
| 3rd singular fem | piub пиу̯б /piu̯b/
her |
| 1st plural | da дa /da/
our |
| 2nd plural | nu нъу /nʲu/
your (pl) |
| 3rd plural | shiap шиa̯п /ʃia̯p/
their |
Verbs[]
| Singular | Plural | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | No affix
shal шaл /ʃal/ (I/you/he/she/it) learn |
If starts with vowel: Prefix d-
Else: Prefix die̯- dieshal диэ̯шaл /die̯ˈʃal/ (we/they) learn |
| Past | If starts with vowel: Prefix g-
Else: Prefix ga- gashal ґaшaл /gaˈʃal/ (I/you/he/she/it) learned |
Prefix xo-
khoshal xoшaл /xoˈʃal/ (we/they) learned |
| Remote past | Prefix e-
eshal эшaл /eˈʃal/ (I/you/he/she/it) learned (long ago) |
If starts with vowel: Prefix z-
Else: Prefix ze- zeshal зэшaл /zeˈʃal/ (we/they) learned (long ago) |
| Future | If starts with vowel: Prefix l-
Else: Prefix lu- lushal лушaл /luˈʃal/ (I/you/he/she/it) will learn |
If starts with vowel: Prefix b-
Else: Prefix bio̯- bioshal биo̯шaл /bio̯ˈʃal/ (we/they) will learn |
Progressive aspect
The ‘progressive’ aspect refers to actions that are happening at the time of speaking, such as I am learning.
Makchen uses an affix for progressive:
| Progressive | If starts with vowel: Prefix ɣ-
Else: Prefix ɣe- ǵeshal ӷэшaл /ɣeˈʃal/ is learning |
Habitual aspect
The ‘habitual’ aspect refers to actions that happen habitually, such as I learn (something new every day), as opposed to actions that happen once (I learned something).
Makchen uses an affix for habitual:
| Habitual | If starts with vowel: Prefix l-
Else: Prefix lio̯- lioshal лиo̯шaл /lio̯ˈʃal/ |
Perfect aspect
The perfect aspect in English is exemplified in ‘I have read this book’, which expresses an event that took place before the time spoken but which has an effect on or is in some way still relevant to the present.
Makchen uses an affix for the perfect aspect:
| Perfect | Prefix pi-
pishal пишaл /piˈʃal/ have learned |
Numbers[]
Makchen has a base-10 number system:
1 - diul диу̯л
2 - e э
3 - ni ни
4 - gep ґэп
5 - ig иґ
6 - zur зур
7 - śe щэ
8 - iu иу̯
9 - u у
10 - pigmoma пиґмoмa
11 - pigmoma пиґмoмa khe xэ diul диу̯л “ten and one”
100 - nir нир “hundred”
101 - nir нир diul диу̯л “hundred one”
200 - e э nir нир
1000 - gi ґи “thousand”
Derivational morphology[]
Adjective → adverb = Suffix -io̯ɣ
Adjective → noun (the quality of being [adj]) = Suffix -o
Adjective → verb (to make something [adj]) = Suffix -ia̯
Noun → adjective (having the quality of [noun]) = Suffix -unʲ
Noun → adjective relating to noun (e.g. economy → economic) = Suffix -i
Noun to verb = Suffix -iʃ
Verb → adjective (result of doing [verb]) = Prefix zio̯-
Tending to = If starts with vowel: Prefix v-
Else: Prefix viu̯-
Verb → noun (the act of [verb]) = If ends with vowel: Suffix -ɖ
Else: Suffix -io̯ɖ
Verb → noun that verb produces (e.g. know → knowledge) = If starts with vowel: Prefix ʔ-
Else: Prefix ʔi-
One who [verb]s (e.g. paint → painter) = If ends with vowel: Suffix -nʲ
Else: Suffix -onʲ
Place of (e.g. wine → winery) = If ends with vowel: Suffix -s
Else: Suffix -ie̯s
Diminutive = Prefix za-
Augmentative = If ends with vowel: Suffix -x
Else: Suffix -ox
Makchen - English Dictionary[]
Key: spelling /pronunciation/ part of speech. definition(s)
adj. adjective | adv. adverb | art. article | conj. conjunction | det. determiner | interj. interjection | n. noun | num. numeral | prep. preposition | pron. pronoun | v. verb
- a a /a/ prep. to, towards
- ag aґ /ag/ n. sound, music
- al aл /al/ v. hunt
- ap aп /ap/ v. value
- ash aш /aʃ/ v. become, get
- ba бa /ba/ det. his
- bakba бaкбa /bakˈba/ n. button, knob
- bap бaп /bap/ n. research
- baun бaунъ /baˈunʲ/ adj. bright
- bechyyuchon бэч̀йучoнъ /beˈʨjuʧonʲ/ n. artist
- beś бэщ /beɕ/ v. look, read, peer
- biaḍi биa̯ꚁи /bia̯ˈɖi/ adj. legal
- biehŕish биэ̯гр̌иш /bie̯ˈhɾiʃ/ n. bank, stock, arsenal
- big биґ /big/ n. education
- biob биo̯б /bio̯b/ n. chin, beard
- bish биш /biʃ/ n. chief, boss
- biź биҗ /biʑ/ n. lesson, lecture
- bofiashun бoфиa̯шунъ /boˈfia̯ʃunʲ/ adj. golden
- bor бoр /bor/ adj. real, authentic
- bukhgan буxґaнъ /buxˈganʲ/ n. prisoner
- bur бур /bur/ v. acquire, inherit
- chachy чaч̀ /ʧaʨ/ n. benefit, profit
- chenioḍ чэниo̯ꚁ /ʧeˈnio̯ɖ/ n. recognition
- chianu чиa̯нъу /ʧia̯ˈnʲu/ n. target
- chiom чиo̯м /ʧio̯m/ n. war, battle
- chiuf чиу̯ф /ʧiu̯f/ n. student
- chochy чoч̀ /ʧoʨ/ n. medicine
- chosh чoш /ʧoʃ/ n. town, population
- chyach ч̀aч /ʨaʧ/ adj. middle
- chyasleḍ ч̀acлэꚁ /ʨaˈsleɖ/ n. reference
- chyich ч̀ич /ʨiʧ/ n. bucket, tub
- chyipi ч̀ипи /ʨiˈpi/ adj. natural
- chyuf ч̀уф /ʨuf/ n. process, procedure
- dab дaб /dab/ det. the
- dapśi дaпщи /dapˈɕi/ n. credit (recognition)
- daz дaз /daz/ v. receive, gather
- dek дэк /dek/ n. south
- deś дэщ /deɕ/ adj. big, large, huge
- dez дэз /dez/ n. liver
- dib диб /dib/ adv. off
- dil дилъ /dilʲ/ v. could
- diov диo̯в /dio̯v/ v. struggle
- diul диу̯л /diu̯l/ num. one
- dol дoлъ /dolʲ/ v. masturbate
- doso дoco /doˈso/ n. strength
- dun дунъ /dunʲ/ v. fix, mend, repair
- edbio эдбиo̯ /edˈbio̯/ n. candy
- eiap эиa̯п /eˈia̯p/ num. third
- emvie эмвиэ̯ /emˈvie̯/ v. miss (not hit), miss (not take advantage of)
- eroź эрoҗ /eˈroʑ/ n. damage
- ez эз /ez/ v. increase, expand
- ǵal ӷaлъ /ɣalʲ/ num. first
- ǵaźi ӷaҗи /ɣaˈʑi/ n. program
- gekh ґэx /gex/ det. several
- gep ґэп /gep/ num. four
- ǵi ӷи /ɣi/ prep. by (using the means of), by (using a route)
- ǵie ӷиэ /ɣiˈe/ adj. famous
- ǵif ӷиф /ɣif/ n. coast, rib
- ǵil ekh ӷилъ эx /ɣilʲ ex/ n. linguistics
- gindiamien śir ґиндиa̯миэ̯н щир /ginˈdia̯mie̯n ɕir/ n. agony
- ǵioshban ӷиo̯шбaн /ɣio̯ʃˈban/ n. committee
- ǵiuch ӷиу̯ч /ɣiu̯ʧ/ n. century
- ǵob ӷoб /ɣob/ n. hope
- gu ґу /gu/ adj. sick, ill, unwell
- ǵukchechy ӷукчэч̀ /ɣukˈʧeʨ/ v. trick, deceive, bluff
- ǵumragfiu ӷумрaґфиу̯ /ɣuˈmragfiu̯/ n. metal
- ʻachy ьaч̀ /ʔaʨ/ v. find, discover, uncover
- ʻao ьao /ʔaˈo/ n. difference
- ʻar ьaр /ʔar/ v. chase
- ʻelku ьэлъку /ʔelʲˈku/ v. nod
- ʻie ьиэ̯ /ʔie̯/ v. consider
- ʻikhin ьиxинъ /ʔiˈxinʲ/ n. dancer
- ʻio ьиo̯ /ʔio̯/ n. knee
- ʻizedli ьизэдли /ʔiˈzedli/ n. spelling
- ʻol ьoлъ /ʔolʲ/ n. sand, dust
- ʻur ьур /ʔur/ n. impulse
- iag иa̯ґ /ia̯g/ v. seek
- ias иa̯c /ia̯s/ prep. around
- ichy ич̀ /iʨ/ n. collar
- ieǵun иэ̯ӷунъ /ie̯ˈɣunʲ/ adj. successful
- iev иэ̯в /ie̯v/ v. smash, shatter, destroy
- ihdil игдил /ihˈdil/ adj. sudden, abrupt, swift
- ilde илдэ /ilˈde/ v. rub, wipe
- io иo̯ /io̯/ det. any
- ior иo̯р /io̯r/ adv. today, now
- is иc /is/ v. spend
- iuf иу̯ф /iu̯f/ adj. loud, noisy
- ium иу̯м /iu̯m/ v. jerk
- iuzi иу̯зи /iu̯ˈzi/ n. order
- kha xa /xa/ interj. yes
- khakfesh xaкфэш /xakˈfeʃ/ n. cat, vagina
- khash xaш /xaʃ/ prep. for (in favor of)
- khen xэнъ /xenʲ/ n. dog
- khenru xэнру /xeˈnru/ v. mark, stain
- khiach xиa̯ч /xia̯ʧ/ n. penis
- khiel xиэ̯лъ /xie̯lʲ/ n. number, statistic
- khiotsiu xиo̯циу̯ /xio̯ˈʦiu̯/ v. smell (emit odour), stink
- khop xoп /xop/ v. achieve, accomplish
- khuz xуз /xuz/ v. grab, clutch
- lak лaк /lak/ n. jewel, gem, prism
- lan лaнъ /lanʲ/ n. dealer
- lash лaш /laʃ/ adj. final
- le лъэ /lʲe/ adj. black, blue, purple, green
- legmig лэґмиґ /legˈmig/ v. rule
- lesh лэш /leʃ/ v. execute
- liaḍ лиa̯ꚁ /lia̯ɖ/ n. retention
- lie лъиэ̯ /lʲie̯/ n. nephew
- lima лимa /liˈma/ n. purpose
- lio nialikhre лиo̯ ниa̯лиxрэ /lio̯ nia̯ˈlixre/ n. court
- liu лиу̯ /liu̯/ pron. she, it
- lochy лъoч̀ /lʲoʨ/ adj. common, frequent, generic, medium
- lomev лъoмэв /lʲoˈmev/ n. mouse
- los лoc /los/ n. series
- lubŕi лъубр̌и /lʲuˈbɾi/ v. turn on
- lup луп /lup/ n. center, core
- maf мaф /maf/ adj. angry, mad
- mar мaр /mar/ adv. here, there
- mavbies мaвбиэ̯c /mavˈbie̯s/ n. forest
- mek мэк /mek/ adv. otherwise
- mer мэр /mer/ n. word, term
- miayfe миa̯йфэ /mia̯jˈfe/ prep. above
- mioa миo̯a /mio̯ˈa/ v. flow
- mo mos мo мoc /mo mos/ adv. tonight
- mol мoл /mol/ adj. good, hot (attractive), moral
- mu му /mu/ adj. white, clear, transparent, yellow, orange, brown, red, pink
- munun мунъунъ /muˈnʲunʲ/ adj. distant
- nachy нaч̀ /naʨ/ v. moan
- nanshoḍ нъaншoꚁ /nʲanˈʃoɖ/ n. honor, integrity
- ne нэ /ne/ prep. before
- nen нэнъ /nenʲ/ n. lock
- ni ни /ni/ num. three
- niam ниa̯м /nia̯m/ adj. confident
- nien ниэ̯н /nie̯n/ n. hair (of body)
- nigfippashioǵ нъиґфиппaшиo̯ӷ /nʲigˈfippaˌʃio̯ɣ/ adv. recently
- nio ниo̯ /nio̯/ n. month
- niś нищ /niɕ/ n. heart
- nivmia нъивмиa̯ /nʲivˈmia̯/ n. finger, toe, hook
- noḍ нъoꚁ /nʲoɖ/ n. victory
- noś нъoщ /nʲoɕ/ adj. beautiful, pretty
- nub нъуб /nʲub/ n. wing
- nun нъунъ /nʲunʲ/ n. vendor
- o o /o/ pron. you all
- olsu oлcу /olˈsu/ n. tribunal
- osh oш /oʃ/ n. son
- pachyeg пaч̀эґ /paˈʨeg/ n. plague
- pam пaм /pam/ v. shine, seem, glow, glare, radiate
- pe пэ /pe/ v. be (permanent state), be (temporary state)
- pes пэc /pes/ n. sleep
- pialun пиa̯лъунъ /pia̯ˈlʲunʲ/ adj. healthy
- pie пиэ̯ /pie̯/ prep. like
- pif пиф /pif/ adj. other
- pioḍ пиo̯ꚁ /pio̯ɖ/ n. bulb
- piuchy пиу̯ч̀ /piu̯ʨ/ n. wheel
- pobish пoбиш /poˈbiʃ/ v. weigh
- pu пу /pu/ n. god
- śa щa /ɕa/ prep. with (accompanied by), with (using)
- śeldash щэлдaш /ɕelˈdaʃ/ n. drug, medicine, poison
- shak шaк /ʃak/ n. reason, logic
- shap шaп /ʃap/ n. fowl
- sheḍ шэꚁ /ʃeɖ/ n. dictionary
- shem шэм /ʃem/ v. catch, notice
- shiab шиa̯б /ʃia̯b/ n. palm (of hand)
- shievŕek шиэ̯вр̌эк /ʃie̯ˈvɾek/ prep. throughout
- shipkiuḍun шипкиу̯ꚁунъ /ʃipˈkiu̯ɖunʲ/ adj. friendly
- shop шoп /ʃop/ v. promise, assure
- shunkhio шунxиo̯ /ʃunˈxio̯/ n. bark (of tree)
- śiesh щиэ̯ш /ɕie̯ʃ/ n. hell
- śion щиo̯нъ /ɕio̯nʲ/ n. climate
- śonǵan щoнӷaнъ /ɕonˈɣanʲ/ n. employer
- śuś щущ /ɕuɕ/ n. cork
- ugfe уґфэ /ugˈfe/ n. parent
- upoś упoщ /uˈpoɕ/ v. judge
- utsresme уцрэcмэ /uˈʦresme/ v. balance, poise
- vaǵ вaӷ /vaɣ/ n. second, moment
- vaź вaҗ /vaʑ/ n. desk, office
- veldun вэлдунъ /velˈdunʲ/ n. journey, voyage
- viayva виa̯йвa /via̯jˈva/ v. identify, point out
- vilna вилнa /vilˈna/ n. rake
- viosh виo̯ш /vio̯ʃ/ n. machine, device, engine, motor, equipment, gadget
- viuǵiǵep виу̯ӷиӷэп /viu̯ˈɣiɣep/ adj. careful
- von вoн /von/ n. empire
- vugioḍ вуґиo̯ꚁ /vuˈgio̯ɖ/ n. decision
- yakh йax /jax/ n. base, foundation
- yap йaп /jap/ n. camera
- yel йэл /jel/ n. jaw
- yib йиб /jib/ v. calculate
- yik йик /jik/ n. crystal, prism
- yionkhi йиo̯нxи /jio̯nˈxi/ n. shadow
- yius йиу̯c /jiu̯s/ adj. silly
- yon йoнъ /jonʲ/ pron. one
- yur йур /jur/ n. storm, hurricane
- źadle җaдлэ /ʑaˈdle/ v. crawl, creep
- zakhen зaxэнъ /zaˈxenʲ/ n. puppy
- źankhehdiu җaнxэгдиу̯ /ʑanˈxehdiu̯/ pron. none
- źaź җaҗ /ʑaʑ/ v. slip
- zekh зэx /zex/ n. powder
- zeyya зэййa /zeˈjja/ v. accuse
- zhe жэ /ʒe/ v. come, occur, happen, develop
- zhesŕichy жэcр̌ич̀ /ʒeˈsɾiʨ/ n. cow
- zhichyyiǵ жич̀йиӷ /ʒiˈʨjiɣ/ v. permit, enable, approve
- zhiok жиo̯к /ʒio̯k/ adv. then
- zhiumun жиу̯мунъ /ʒiu̯ˈmunʲ/ adj. evident
- zhor жoр /ʒor/ n. flood
- zhuknap жукнaп /ʒukˈnap/ pron. something
- zhuyvup жуйвуп /ʒujˈvup/ v. like, love
- ziachy зиa̯ч̀ /zia̯ʨ/ v. shock, startle, stun
- zib зиб /zib/ v. train
- zikh зиx /zix/ n. officer
- ziob зиo̯б /zio̯b/ v. join, connect
- źios җиo̯c /ʑio̯s/ n. beer
- źiul җиу̯л /ʑiu̯l/ prep. plus
- źoǵ җoӷ /ʑoɣ/ v. trade
- źosluydi җocлуйди /ʑoˈslujdi/ prep. out, outside
- źuchy җуч̀ /ʑuʨ/ v. mix, join
- zun зунъ /zunʲ/ n. curtain
The Language of South Makchen[]
...and he stood holding his hat and turned his wet face to the wind...
fú bog fuq lalchyü dö ǵäyúzh fú aȟ dö ǵë wöś fu wüj фү бoг фук̧ лaлч̧ӱ дӧ ӷәйүж фү aъ дӧ ӷё в̧ӧщ фу в̧ӱд̧
Pronunciation: /fɯ bog fuq ˈlalʨy døː ˈɣæːjɯʒ fɯ aʕ døː ɣœː wøːɕ fu wyʤ/
South Makchen word order: and he stood holding his hat and turned his wet face to the wind
Spelling & Phonology[]
Consonant inventory: b d f g h j k l m n p q r s v w z ħ ŋ ɕ ɣ ʃ ʑ ʒ ʔ ʕ ʣ ʤ ʧ ʨ
Click IPA symbols for audio
| ↓Manner/Place→ | Bilabial | Labiodental | Alveolar | Palato-alveolar | Alveolo-palatal | Palatal | Velar | Uvular | Pharyngeal | Glottal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nasal | m | n | ŋ | |||||||
| Stop | p b | d | k g | q | ʔ | |||||
| Affricate | ʣ | ʧ ʤ | ʨ | |||||||
| Fricative | f v | s z | ʃ ʒ | ɕ ʑ | ɣ | ħ ʕ | h | |||
| Approximant | j | |||||||||
| Trill | r | |||||||||
| Lateral approximant | l |
Co-articulated phonemes
| ↓Manner/Place→ | Labial-velar |
|---|---|
| Approximant | w |
Vowel inventory: a e i o u y æː øː œː ɪ ɯ ɵ ɵɵ̯
Diphthongs: ɵɵ̯ ?
| Front | Central | Back | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | i y | ɯ u | |
| Near-high | ɪ | ||
| High-mid | e øː | ɵ | o |
| Low-mid | œː | ||
| Near-low | æː | ||
| Low | a |
Syllable structure: (C)V(C) ?
Stress pattern: Initial — stress is on the first syllable ?
Word initial consonants: b d f g h j k l m n p q r s v w z ħ ɕ ɣ ʃ ʑ ʒ ʔ ʕ ʣ ʤ ʧ ʨ
Mid-word consonants: b bb bl br bs bv bʃ d dd df dg dj dm dn dr dʒ dʣ f fd fh fk fm fɣ g gb gd gk gn gs gʃ gʒ h hb hd hj hk hm j jg jk jl jn jr js jv jʒ k kb kd kj kk kr ks kz kɕ kʧ l ld ll lp lv lɣ lʒ lʔ lʨ m mg mj mm mn mp mr mv mw mɕ mʃ mʒ mʤ n nd ng nj nm nn np nr ns nv nɣ nʃ nʒ nʔ nʤ nʧ p pn pɕ pʧ q qq qʕ r rf rg rh rj rn rr rs rz rʤ s sb sd sf sg sw sʔ sʕ v vd vj vv w wd wl wm wq ww z zb zj zm zp zr zv zw zz ħ ħd ħm ŋ ŋb ŋd ŋf ŋj ŋm ŋr ŋs ŋz ɕ ɣ ɣj ɣm ɣn ɣr ʃ ʃb ʃk ʃl ʃn ʃp ʃv ʑ ʒ ʒb ʒj ʒm ʒn ʔ ʔd ʔz ʕ ʕl ʣ ʤ ʧ ʧf ʧg ʧk ʧl ʧn ʨ
Word final consonants: b d f g k l n p q r s v w z ħ ŋ ɕ ɣ ʃ ʑ ʒ ʕ ʣ ʤ ʧ ʨ
Spelling rules:
| Pronunciation | Spelling |
|---|---|
| ʔ | ʻ |
| æː | ä |
| œː | ë |
| ɪ | ï |
| ɵ | í |
| øː | ö |
| y | ü |
| ɯ | ú |
| j | y |
| ŋ | ng |
| ʧ | ch |
| ʃ | sh |
| ʒ | zh |
| ʤ | j |
| ʣ | dz |
| ʨ | chy |
| ɣ | ǵ |
| ħ | h́ |
| ʕ | ȟ |
| ɕ | ś |
| ʑ | ź |
| Vː | VV |
| ◌̯ |
Cyrillic:
b > б
ɕ > щ
d > д
ʤ > д̧
f > ф
g > г
ɣ > ӷ
h > х
ħ > х̧
j > й
k > к
l > л
m > м
n > н
ŋ > ӊ
p > п
q > к̧
r > p
ʃ > ш
ʨ > ч̧
ʧ > ч
ʣ > ц
v > в
w > в̧
z > з
ʑ > ж̧
ʒ > ж
ʔ > ь
ʕ > ъ
æː > ә
e > э
i > и
ɪ > e
øː > ӧ
œː > ё
ɵ > ө
u > у
ɯ > ү
y > ӱ
s > с
Grammar[]
Main word order: Subject Verb Object (Prepositional phrase). “Mary opened the door with a key” turns into Mary opened the door with a key.
Adjective order: Adjectives are positioned before the noun.
Adposition: prepositions ?
Nouns[]
| Singular | Plural | |
|---|---|---|
| Definite | Prefix ke-
kepo кэпo /ˈkepo/ the dog |
Prefix u-
upo упo /ˈupo/ the dogs |
| Indefinite | Prefix ɪ-
ïpo eпo /ˈɪpo/ a dog |
No affix
po пo /po/ some dogs |
Articles[]
South Makchen encodes definite article ‘the’, and indefinite article ‘a’ in noun affixes. See Noun section.
Pronouns[]
| 1st singular | ro po /ro/
I, me, mine |
| 2nd singular | shúk шүк /ʃɯk/
you, yours |
| 3rd singular masc | bog бoг /bog/
he, him, his, it, its |
| 3rd singular fem | a a /a/
she, her, hers, it, its |
| 1st plural | vo вo /vo/
we, us, ours |
| 2nd plural | wil в̧ил /wil/
you all, yours (pl) |
| 3rd plural | vül вӱл /vyl/
they, them, theirs |
Possessive determiners[]
| 1st singular | bä бә /bæː/
my |
| 2nd singular | sí сө /sɵ/
your |
| 3rd singular masc | dö дӧ /døː/
his |
| 3rd singular fem | wë в̧ё /wœː/
her |
| 1st plural | líz лөз /lɵz/
our |
| 2nd plural | vuzh вуж /vuʒ/
your (pl) |
| 3rd plural | dzu цу /ʣu/
their |
Verbs[]
| 1st person | Prefix ke-
keobi кэoби /ˈkeobi/ (I/we) learn/learned/will learn |
| 2nd person | Prefix ra-
raobi paoби /ˈraobi/ (you) learn/learned/will learn |
| 3rd person | If starts with vowel: Prefix l-
Else: Prefix løː- lobi лoби /ˈlobi/ (he/she/it/they) learn/learned/will learn |
South Makchen uses a standalone particle word for past tense:
| Past | Particle before the verb: ru -
ru obi pу oби /ru ˈobi/ learned |
South Makchen uses a standalone particle word for future tense:
| Future | Particle before the verb: ʕoɕ -
ȟoś obi ъoщ oби /ʕoɕ ˈobi/ will learn |
Progressive aspect
The ‘progressive’ aspect refers to actions that are happening at the time of speaking, such as I am learning.
South Makchen uses a standalone particle word for progressive:
| Progressive | Particle before the verb: oʣ -
odz obi oц oби /oʣ ˈobi/ is learning |
Habitual aspect
The ‘habitual’ aspect refers to actions that happen habitually, such as I learn (something new every day), as opposed to actions that happen once (I learned something).
South Makchen uses a standalone particle word for habitual:
| Habitual | Particle before the verb: i -
i obi и oби /i ˈobi/ learns |
Numbers[]
South Makchen has a base-20 number system:
1 - aq aк̧
2 - źi ж̧и
3 - qe к̧э
4 - nichy нич̧
5 - ʻë ьё
6 - la лa
7 - e э
8 - pish пиш
9 - daʻdíj дaьдөд̧
10 - yi йи
11 - sü сӱ
12 - śäb щәб
13 - waz в̧aз
14 - píd пөд
15 - sog сoг
16 - ǵüfig ӷӱфиг
17 - wúk в̧үк
18 - hich хич
19 - läzh ләж
20 - fëw фёв̧
21 - aq aк̧ fú фү fëw фёв̧ “one and twenty”
400 - aq aк̧ wä в̧ә “one fourhundred”
401 - aq aк̧ wä в̧ә fú фү aq aк̧ “one fourhundred and one”
800 - źi ж̧и wä в̧ә “two fourhundred”
8000 - aq aк̧ ǵo ӷo “one eightthousand”
Derivational morphology[]
Adjective → adverb = Prefix mæː-
Adjective → noun (the quality of being [adj]) = If starts with vowel: Prefix m-
Else: Prefix mi-
Adjective → verb (to make something [adj]) = If starts with vowel: Prefix h-
Else: Prefix hu-
Noun → adjective (having the quality of [noun]) = Prefix ʕæː-
Noun → adjective relating to noun (e.g. economy → economic) = If starts with vowel: Prefix b-
Else: Prefix by-
Noun to verb = If starts with vowel: Prefix ħ-
Else: Prefix ħe-
Verb → adjective (result of doing [verb]) = If starts with vowel: Prefix l-
Else: Prefix le-
Tending to = Prefix zɯ-
Verb → noun (the act of [verb]) = Prefix œː-
Verb → noun that verb produces (e.g. know → knowledge) = If starts with vowel: Prefix w-
Else: Prefix wøː-
One who [verb]s (e.g. paint → painter) = Prefix hu-
Place of (e.g. wine → winery) = Prefix ʣu-
Diminutive = If starts with vowel: Prefix ʒ-
Else: Prefix ʒa-
Augmentative = If starts with vowel: Prefix f-
Else: Prefix fu-
South Makchen - English Dictionary[]
Key: spelling /pronunciation/ part of speech. definition(s)
adj. adjective | adv. adverb | art. article | conj. conjunction | det. determiner | interj. interjection | n. noun | num. numeral | prep. preposition | pron. pronoun | v. verb
- a a /a/ v. let, allow, enable
- ädz әц /æːʣ/ n. wound, trauma
- ajä aд̧ә /ˈaʤæː/ n. park
- ämpú әмпү /ˈæːmpɯ/ n. accent (of language)
- ar ap /ar/ n. structure, system
- äźub әж̧уб /ˈæːʑub/ v. pick
- badz бaц /baʣ/ n. rake
- bel бэл /bel/ n. bell
- bïba бeбa /ˈbɪba/ adj. legal
- bíkyäz бөкйәз /ˈbɵkjæːz/ v. boil
- bish ögnoq биш ӧгнoк̧ /biʃ ˈøːgnoq/ n. vocabulary
- böshko бӧшкo /ˈbøːʃko/ n. snow
- büchyïȟ бӱч̧eъ /ˈbyʨɪʕ/ adj. logical
- bühëlo бӱхёлo /ˈbyhœːlo/ adj. economic
- bup буп /bup/ n. show, exhibit
- chach чaч /ʧaʧ/ n. dagger
- cheb чэб /ʧeb/ n. engine, motor
- chídz чөц /ʧɵʣ/ adj. guilty
- chïng чeӊ /ʧɪŋ/ n. list, catalog, column
- choma чoмa /ˈʧoma/ n. insect
- chyabaȟ ч̧aбaъ /ˈʨabaʕ/ n. floor, bottom (lowest part)
- chyëngrüz ч̧ёӊpӱз /ˈʨœːŋryz/ n. alcohol
- chyidzhï ч̧иджe /ˈʨidʒɪ/ n. prostitute
- chyo ч̧o /ʨo/ n. pipe, valve, vent
- da дa /da/ v. enter
- daz дaз /daz/ n. penis
- dí дө /dɵ/ n. art, craft
- dö дӧ /døː/ n. character
- düheq дӱхэк̧ /ˈdyheq/ v. rest, relax, nap
- dzängyi цәӊйи /ˈʣæːŋji/ n. cauldron, kettle
- dzï цe /ʣɪ/ n. authority
- dzilpi цилпи /ˈʣilpi/ adj. direct
- dzorzún цopзүн /ˈʣorzɯn/ n. will
- dzujagna цуд̧aгнa /ˈʣuʤagna/ n. armoury
- ë ё /œː/ v. bring, fetch, deliver
- ëbïb ёбeб /ˈœːbɪb/ n. existence
- ëchyav ёч̧aв /ˈœːʨav/ n. exam
- edzhal эджaл /ˈedʒal/ v. crash, collide
- ëh́ ёх̧ /œːħ/ adj. ugly, awful, terrible
- ëʻü ёьӱ /ˈœːʔy/ n. argument
- ekche экчэ /ˈekʧe/ v. permit, enable, approve
- ëngbú ёӊбү /ˈœːŋbɯ/ n. seed
- epśa ȟe эпщa ъэ /ˈepɕa ʕe/ n. lower class
- esh эш /eʃ/ conj. unless
- ëwöh́ ёв̧ӧх̧ /ˈœːwøːħ/ n. cause
- fa ȟe фa ъэ /fa ʕe/ n. upper class
- fekśuk фэкщук /ˈfekɕuk/ v. approach
- fí фө /fɵ/ v. float, hover, skim
- fiq фик̧ /fiq/ n. broom
- fúb фүб /fɯb/ adj. vulgar
- fushkú фушкү /ˈfuʃkɯ/ adj. gray
- ǵä ӷә /ɣæː/ v. pay
- ǵaś ӷaщ /ɣaɕ/ n. skill, talent
- ǵëb ӷёб /ɣœːb/ n. nest
- gi ги /gi/ prep. throughout
- gíf údzhüp гөф үджӱп /gɵf ˈɯdʒyp/ n. cafe
- ǵïrni ӷepни /ˈɣɪrni/ adj. probable
- goq гoк̧ /goq/ n. service
- ǵüchyë ӷӱч̧ё /ˈɣyʨœː/ n. dungeon
- h́ä х̧ә /ħæː/ n. fluke
- ȟadz ъaц /ʕaʣ/ n. ceiling, maximum
- häȟ хәъ /hæːʕ/ v. imply
- ȟälë ъәлё /ˈʕæːlœː/ adj. dirty
- ȟäp ъәп /ʕæːp/ v. crack
- h́aw х̧aв̧ /ħaw/ n. hood
- ȟëch ъёч /ʕœːʧ/ n. moss
- ȟehik ъэхик /ˈʕehik/ n. sponge
- hëmzhe хёмжэ /ˈhœːmʒe/ adj. green
- h́eqadräwes х̧эк̧aдpәв̧эс /ˈħeqaˌdræːwes/ v. excuse
- hëź lu gampïh́ хёж̧ лу гaмпeх̧ /hœːʑ lu ˈgampɪħ/ n. glacier
- ȟï ъe /ʕɪ/ n. job, career, task, role
- h́ichudu х̧ичуду /ˈħiʧudu/ v. aim, intend
- ȟïn ъeн /ʕɪn/ v. do, make, build, construct, prepare, establish
- h́íyoh́ х̧өйoх̧ /ˈħɵjoħ/ v. act, behave
- hö хӧ /høː/ n. party
- ȟön ъӧн /ʕøːn/ n. factory
- ȟöza ъӧзa /ˈʕøːza/ n. leaf, sheet, flake
- ȟü ъӱ /ʕy/ v. stop, arrest, stall, halt
- hudip худип /ˈhudip/ n. locksmith
- huezh хуэж /ˈhueʒ/ n. owner
- huhík хухөк /ˈhuhɵk/ n. killer
- h́úk х̧үк /ħɯk/ n. cost
- hup хуп /hup/ pron. anybody
- husheź хушэж̧ /ˈhuʃeʑ/ n. leader
- h́uw х̧ув̧ /ħuw/ adj. happy
- huzhïsh хужeш /ˈhuʒɪʃ/ n. sailor
- ʻe ьэ /ʔe/ v. think, consider, ponder
- ʻiz ьиз /ʔiz/ v. offend
- ʻü ьӱ /ʔy/ v. argue
- ï e /ɪ/ conj. when
- ífdik өфдик /ˈɵfdik/ n. cell, compartment
- ih́a их̧a /ˈiħa/ prep. about, concerning, regarding
- ik ик /ik/ adj. fat, big, broad
- indí индө /ˈindɵ/ n. police
- írfï өpфe /ˈɵrfɪ/ adj. stiff, stubborn
- íshúf өшүф /ˈɵʃɯf/ n. alphabet
- ja д̧a /ʤa/ n. task, chore
- jägo д̧әгo /ˈʤæːgo/ v. hang
- je д̧э /ʤe/ n. employee
- jid д̧ид /ʤid/ v. grow up, sprout
- jomvug д̧oмвуг /ˈʤomvug/ v. nod
- jüh́ д̧ӱх̧ /ʤyħ/ v. starve
- kaȟ кaъ /kaʕ/ n. root
- kewlel кэв̧лэл /ˈkewlel/ n. flavor
- kindï киндe /ˈkindɪ/ v. review
- kow кoв̧ /kow/ n. interest
- koź кoж̧ /koʑ/ adj. big, large, massive, immense, enormous, huge
- kük кӱк /kyk/ adj. necessary
- läk ләк /læːk/ n. cave
- läzh ләж /læːʒ/ num. nineteen
- leǵ al лэӷ aл /leɣ al/ n. essence
- li ли /li/ n. minute
- líndís лөндөс /ˈlɵndɵs/ adv. now
- lo лo /lo/ v. mean
- loya gú лoйa гү /ˈloja gɯ/ n. vein
- lúǵ yäśï лүӷ йәщe /lɯɣ ˈjæːɕɪ/ n. brothel
- mäǵ мәӷ /mæːɣ/ n. belly
- mälenëng мәлэнёӊ /ˈmæːlenœːŋ/ adv. finally
- mäzzüq мәззӱк̧ /ˈmæːzzyq/ n. jaw
- mes paȟúw мэс пaъүв̧ /mes ˈpaʕɯw/ n. earthquake
- miǵë миӷё /ˈmiɣœː/ n. moisture
- mïng мeӊ /mɪŋ/ n. resource
- misu мису /ˈmisu/ n. fun
- mizúfǵä мизүфӷә /ˈmizɯfɣæː/ n. sickness
- möshlu мӧшлу /ˈmøːʃlu/ n. youth
- muǵ муӷ /muɣ/ n. ash, coal
- na нa /na/ adv. about
- nëng нёӊ /nœːŋ/ v. finish, close, shut
- ní нө /nɵ/ v. ask (invite)
- nö нӧ /nøː/ conj. since
- núk нүк /nɯk/ n. woman
- öb ӧб /øːb/ n. uncle
- öf ӧф /øːf/ n. head
- oj oд̧ /oʤ/ n. horizon
- osfej oсфэд̧ /ˈosfeʤ/ v. borrow
- ozh oж /oʒ/ v. treat
- päǵ пәӷ /pæːɣ/ n. breast
- pazyiw пaзйив̧ /ˈpazjiw/ prep. between, among
- pën пён /pœːn/ n. top, lid, peak
- pi пи /pi/ v. provide, cater
- píǵ пөӷ /pɵɣ/ n. guy
- píś пөщ /pɵɕ/ det. such
- po пo /po/ n. dog
- poh́mí пoх̧мө /ˈpoħmɵ/ n. success
- pú пү /pɯ/ v. help, assist
- púhmüv пүхмӱв /ˈpɯhmyv/ n. servant
- puś пущ /puɕ/ v. direct, conduct
- qachü к̧aчӱ /ˈqaʧy/ prep. through
- qeh́ к̧эх̧ /qeħ/ n. ring
- qiź к̧иж̧ /qiʑ/ adv. yesterday
- qúmös к̧үмӧс /ˈqɯmøːs/ n. damage
- räch pәч /ræːʧ/ n. cat, vagina
- raz paз /raz/ n. scene, stage
- rezh pэж /reʒ/ n. pocket, folder
- rika pикa /ˈrika/ n. excrement
- rö pӧ /røː/ det. same
- ru pу /ru/ pron. which
- sa сa /sa/ n. meal
- śë щё /ɕœː/ adj. healthy
- sep сэп /sep/ adv. once
- shä шә /ʃæː/ n. fool
- sher шэp /ʃer/ v. teach, instruct, educate, explain
- shïng шeӊ /ʃɪŋ/ v. crush, grind, crumble
- shöǵ шӧӷ /ʃøːɣ/ adj. common, medium
- shumnü шумнӱ /ˈʃumny/ n. neighbor
- śï щe /ɕɪ/ n. sock
- sip сип /sip/ v. achieve, accomplish
- söȟ сӧъ /søːʕ/ n. berry
- śü щӱ /ɕy/ adv. least
- sühmal сӱхмaл /ˈsyhmal/ v. tread, step on
- śus щус /ɕus/ prep. like
- úbru үбpу /ˈɯbru/ adj. stable, steady
- uǵnök уӷнӧк /ˈuɣnøːk/ v. bake
- ül ӱл /yl/ v. struggle
- ungmö уӊмӧ /ˈuŋmøː/ n. color, hue, paint
- üqqechkísh ӱк̧к̧эчкөш /ˈyqqeʧkɵʃ/ n. meat, fish
- üsh ӱш /yʃ/ n. ward
- úz үз /ɯz/ n. credit (recognition)
- vang вaӊ /vaŋ/ n. fan (enthusiast)
- veś вэщ /veɕ/ n. phone
- vïb вeб /vɪb/ v. jump, skip
- vo вo /vo/ n. grandfather
- vu ву /vu/ v. continue, keep, remain
- vúnrë вүнpё /ˈvɯnrœː/ n. fan
- wafmí в̧aфмө /ˈwafmɵ/ n. theater
- wazrídz в̧aзpөц /ˈwazrɵʣ/ n. block, brick
- wë в̧ё /wœː/ v. catch, intercept
- wëw в̧ёв̧ /wœːw/ adj. flirtatious
- wiǵ в̧иӷ /wiɣ/ n. store, shop, business, enterprise, arsenal
- wíp в̧өп /wɵp/ n. dust, powder
- wöd в̧ӧд /wøːd/ adj. naked, nude
- woh́ в̧oх̧ /woħ/ n. trip
- wönë в̧ӧнё /ˈwøːnœː/ n. knowledge
- wov в̧oв /wov/ adv. out
- wu в̧у /wu/ v. like, admire
- wüg в̧ӱг /wyg/ pron. anything
- wuyí в̧уйө /ˈwujɵ/ det. no
- yar йap /jar/ v. ask (request), request
- yëkäq йёкәк̧ /ˈjœːkæːq/ conj. while
- yídzhoch йөджoч /ˈjɵdʒoʧ/ n. slope, slant
- yodz йoц /joʣ/ n. man
- yü йӱ /jy/ v. give, provide, transfer, contribute
- yuzra йузpa /ˈjuzra/ n. finger, toe, hook, thumb
- źach ж̧aч /ʑaʧ/ adv. often
- zaqȟüb rew зaк̧ъӱб pэв̧ /ˈzaqʕyb rew/ n. astronomy
- źëp ж̧ёп /ʑœːp/ n. distance, gap, cleavage
- zhach жaч /ʒaʧ/ n. experiment
- zhef жэф /ʒef/ n. city, downtown, metropolis
- zhí жө /ʒɵ/ n. husband
- zho жo /ʒo/ n. shadow
- zhüchav жӱчaв /ˈʒyʧav/ n. board
- źï ж̧e /ʑɪ/ v. walk
- zídz зөц /zɵʣ/ n. boot
- źö ж̧ӧ /ʑøː/ n. problem
- źop ж̧oп /ʑop/ n. population
- źü ж̧ӱ /ʑy/ n. side
- zúfǵä зүфӷә /ˈzɯfɣæː/ adj. sick, ill, unwell
- zúsüzh зүсӱж /ˈzɯsyʒ/ adj. boring